The Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, NJ Ayuk, has called on Namibia to take bold, decisive steps toward energy independence and economic transformation.

Speaking at the Namibia International Energy Conference, Ayuk highlighted Namibia's vulnerability to global supply disruptions, noting that around 70 percent of the country's petroleum imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

Ayuk said there is an urgent need for Namibia  to strengthen domestic energy production and ensure long-term energy security.

He framed the country's energy ambitions within the broader African context, where energy poverty remains a pressing challenge,

Ayuk pointed out that over 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity, while one billion people do not have access to clean cooking technologies. 

These gaps, he noted, continue to drive health risks, economic losses and environmental challenges across the continent.

The executive chairman also focused on the role of young people in shaping the future of Namibia's energy sector, warning that the oil and gas industry risks losing talent to global technology firms unless it becomes more inclusive and proactive. 

“More young people are getting into technology. They want to work for Google or Amazon, not for oil and gas. Our industry has to confront that. It starts with a stem. It starts with us hiring them. It has us promoting them.  It starts with us being deliberate to give them those opportunities.Because local content cannot just be smokes and screens.It has to be action,” he said.

Ayuk also challenged prevailing global narratives around energy transition, arguing that African nations should prioritise energy expansion alongside transition efforts.

He maintained that Namibia has the right to fully develop its hydrocarbon resources to uplift its population and drive industrialization.

On the policy front, Ayuk urged the government to establish a strong enabling environment through clear regulatory frameworks, competitive fiscal terms, and supportive legislation. 

“We're competing with Guyana, with Suriname, with Qatar, with Singapore. That is why we have to continue that match to make Namibia the best place for oil and gas investments in the world. We got those big choices. To make the choice to choose energy success and not all choose surrender. We choose not to surrender,” he noted.

Ayuk called for faster decision-making and stronger institutional support to position Namibia as a leading destination for oil and gas investment